Check-bit



(No Model.) v

H. G. GOXV. GHBGKBIT.

No. 43?,576. Patented Sept. 30, 1890.-

f UNITED VSTATESr PATENT WAO'FFoE.

HARRIS G; COX, OF SAN J OSfl, CALIFORNIA.

CHECK-BT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,576, datedSeptember 30, 1890.

Application filed J une 13, 1890V Serial Ne. 355,349. (NO model.) V

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRIS G. (JOX, a citizen of the United States,residing at San Jos, Santa Clara connty, State of California, haveinvented an Improvement in Check-Bits; and I hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to an improved checkbit for driving horses; and itconsists in certain details of constrnction,which will be more fullyexplained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1is a view showing the application of the bit and check to the horsefshead. Fig.`

2 is a perspective view of the bit. Fig. 3 is a side view. V

The object of my invention is to provide an improvement in that class ofsupplemental bits known as overdraw-checks5 and the especial feature ofthe inventio is the two connected bars of the bit, with swivelattachments for the rear bar and nose-strap connection, whichattachments allow the front portion of the bit to drop down and relievethe month of the animal from pressure as long as the head is held in theproper position.

A is the rear bar of the bit, which in the present case is shown as astraight round bar of sufficient length to extend through the month ofIthe horse from side to side. From the center of this bar a flat plate Bextends forward and has the extreme front end or tip turned downwardslightly, as shown at C. From the sides of the plate B the bars D extendoutwardly, being slightly curved down- Ward toward the outer ends, asshown at E, and thence they are curved npwardly upon each side of thehorseis month, terminating in the rings F. The plate B C thus liesnearly 'in the center of the horse7s month. The bars D, being droppedslightly, as shown at vE, at the outer ends, relieve the lips and sidesof the jaw of the horse of any pressure from this portion of the bar,and allow the front end of the plate to press upon the roof of thehorse,s month when the plate is dropped.

Upon the ends of the bar A are swiveled the rings or links G, which areadapted to From the rings F the strap J extends.

upward on each side of the horseis face to a point between the eyes andthe end of the nose, and from this point it is joined into a singlestrap or check K, which extendsl over the top of the horses head in theusual manner of such checks.

It will be seen that when the horse drops his headthe rear portion ofthe bit A, through the connection of the nose-strap H, forrns a fulcrumabout which the projecting rings F are noved by the pull upon the strapJ, and 'this lifts up the front portion of the plate B C against theroof of the horse,s mouth, thus causing him such inconvenience that hewill naturally lift his head into the proper position.

`By reason of the Swivel-rings G the bar A is allowed to turn at .thepoints where it is journaled in these rings, and as soon as the horseraises his head into the proper position the front portion B C will dropdown so as to lie easily within the month and cause no pressure ortrouble. i

It will be understood that this check-bit is supplemental to theordinary driving-bit,

which lies below it in the horses mouth`, and it is especially for useupon hard-bi tted horses, for those which hold the head down so as tochoke themselves and prevent free breathing while traveling.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, isi-- 1. A check-bit consisting of the bar A,the eentral projecting plate B O, and the bars -D, extending to eachside of said' plate, having the rings F formed at their upturned ends,in combination with the swivel rings or attachments G, journaled uponthe ends of the bar A, substantially as herein described.

2. A check-bit eonsistng of front and rear Ward eurve at the front,substantially as herebars Whieh extend transversely across the ind'escrbed. 1 o horse,s month, the front bar curved down- In witnesswhereof I have hereunto set my Ward Where it passes between the lips andhand.

5 having upturned rings at the outer ends, the HARRIS G. COX.

rear bar having swivel-rings at the outer end, Witnesses: and a eentralplate uniting the two bars and S. H. NOURSE,

extending beyond the front bar, with a down- H. C. LEE.

